KJ has made good points.

Here's what I would suggest.....................

Sit your wife down at a computer logged onto Trucker's Report and have her READ the various comments in this thread as well as the other related threads. Help her be AWARE of what getting into driving Big trucks is all about, for BOTH of you.

Being the wife of an OTR Big truck driver is no easy task. The support a wife can obtain mingling with like minds can be beneficial.
Encourage her to join in the conversations here, ask questions until our fingers are too tired to type. If y'all are sincere about learning about the Big truck trucking industry, we can sincerely help you do that.

If your wife likes her own "space" --- and you like to travel, .......
Big truck trucking just might be for y'all.

hey man i know the feeling on wage freezing my income satyed the same for 8 years.cost of living was rising and my check stayed the same.i am recently retired and seeking a new job in trucking.35 k on top of my retirement sounds darn good to me.

You REALLY need to spend a few weeks here reading....... there is a very good chance you will end up in worse financial condition if you choose to drive.
You have a degree?
Go be a teacher........ there are so many different positions available almost anyone can find a niche......
Another perk? You work 180 days a year and about 6 hours a day...... if need extra money you can always take on something extra...... you'll have the time......
You will find that this statement is considered a cliche and made fun of on most of the forums........ you will not see places very well since you will fly by at your governed 63mph and the scenery for you will not change...... asphalt looks pretty much the same anywhere you go......
"The only drawback"......... you have clearly NOT done your research.....

"As much?" Please, read what the veterans have to say on here...... you basically won't see your family at all..........

I'm pretty much a party pooper aren't I?

The best advice I can give you is to take a few evenings off and spend at least 4-5 hours in at least three different truck stops in your area........ talk to the drivers....... look at the drivers..... listen to them talking to each other...... in my experience, most people don't last an hour........ I get the "I'm not talking to "that"!......... well, "that" is about to become your co-worker, colleague and peer...... I will repeat the phrase (although I don't completely agree with it)....... trucking is not a job, it is a lifestyle.

Please........ do your research..........

Now....... before everyone else here says I am being negative and non-supportive of a fellow wannabe/newbie the following quote is the one that disturbs me......... trucking is not easy and most of the men (and women) who actually love being out there love it for reasons that are hard to explain........ they will say things like "it is in their blood" and "there's just nothing like it" and "when it's just you and the truck"...... those old, tired, unshaven faces light up, they really do when you get them talking about what they love about driving ....... when they talk about money (or their families), their faces do not light up........ I do not think people should go into this industry unless they feel that they have some kind of "calling" for it (or however you want to phrase it).... it is hard enough for people who love it to make it....... I can't imagine doing it just for the money......

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The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. — Albert Einstein

To make a long story short. After much thought, research, soul searching, and speaking to my family. Trucking isn't going to be for me, at least at this point in time in my life. No matter how much I dislike my job, I take comfort in knowing that I am at least home everyday to see my family. That is more important to me than anything in the entire world. And why I have decided to stick it out where I am at.

Thanks to all those that gave such good feedback. I appreciate it. I like the honesty.

You are most welcome, sir!
And thank YOU for informing us of your final decision. Truth be known, I think you made a wise family decision.

I hope that you will still continue to read and post here. If for no other reason -- for the fun we have. You can also be of assistance to other wannBees faced with similar situations.

This site doesn't require that you be a big truck truck driver to be a member of our group.
Nope!
Actually, once we've gained a member, we don't like to lose them. Please stick around, or at least drop in from time to time and let us know how you're doin' -- or just to vent. If you have to blow off some steam, this is a better place to do that than out on the highways.

Good luck to you, and best of success.

Trucking isn't going anywhere.........

It just might be perfect for you in a few years when the kids are older and you WANT to get away from them.......... hehehe....... just kidding of course..........

Good Luck and seriously......... look into teaching!

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The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. — Albert Einstein

Good luck to you and based on your posts, I think you have made the best decision for you and your family. You may want to look into IT positions in other areas of the country. Some pay more than others. My hubby is an IT professional, but once our youngest is graduated, we are hitting the road OTR. IT is a good living and will always be needed, but isn't necessarily what your mama told you it would be. She wanted you to have a nice, clean, desk job, but it can be boring unless you are really into it! Take care and give our love to your wife and kids! They are the most important part of your life. Provide for them, and you will be provided for....trucking may be down the road for you. Best of luck!

Okay, I'm here once again to pick the brains of those who have been there and done that so here goes....I have been with my Company for three months now and this is my first truck driving job. I got my CDL about four months ago so I'm really am a newbie. My question is this. I have a perfect driving record for the last five years, I have my Haz-Mat and Tank endorsements and have had NO infarctions during my first three months of driving with my current company...so, should I be settling for .29 a mile or should I pursue better pay? I average about 1,500 or so miles per week. I thought this was pretty good for a newbie but after talking with some other newbies on the road I now question if it is indeed that good? Any advice would be appreciated. I don't want to sell myself short.

You could throw a rock and hit a better trucking company. .29 times 1500 stinks really bad. Trucking is like social darwinism. Go get yours.

Is money EVERYthing. JT?
If it is, there probably are truckin' companies that will hire you and pay you more.

How important is happiness and contentment with a truckin' company, to you?
Are you happy and content where you are now?

As a newBee to the industry, you're still in a learning process mode. Does the company you're driving for now provide you with what you need to learn? If so, consider that another truckin' company might offer higher wages, but they might expect to KNOW things you're just learning at this time. You might find you're so rushed all the time that you won't know if you're comin, or goin' half the time and plum tuckered out more often than not. Do you think you'd find that atmosphere conducive to learning? Or find it frustrating instead?

IMO, right now you need to learn as much as you can about the truckin' industry and how to make it work for you. If a company pays less money but the conditions for learning are good, and another company pays you more money, but the conditions for learning are not so good, ...... well, ....... I reckon you'll cross that bridge when and if you come to it, and there's no posted weight restriction for Big trucks.

Money, I think, shouldn't be the only deciding factor in making a decision which company to drive for. Would y'all walk a mile in expensive, stylish shoes if they didn't fit well?